Letter: We need more businesses in St. Johns County, not more homes

More businesses, less residential

Editor: Are the County Commissioners really concerned with the property values and smart growth in St. John’s County?

Am I the only one who thinks that they hold meetings to listen to residents’ voices and their opinions against new developments, and then proceed to rubber-stamp them anyway?

Residents of my own community spoke out against the new Valencia Apartments proposed for Watson Road, only to see it raised again at a meeting that was not posted on the P&Z sign that we have been looking at for months now. I think they schedule meetings during the day so that working homeowners cannot get out to protest their vote.

We do not need more residential developments, and we certainly don’t need apartments.

The county complains about not having enough classrooms for the growing student population, but proceeds to continue to build more homes to create more students! Where is the business and industry in this planning? They talk about promising to increase the ratio of industry/business over residential. However, I haven’t heard of many new large businesses moving into our area with jobs.

Why must we be a bedroom community for Jacksonville, put up with the added traffic and students and then be stuck with the tax bills forever from their impact?

It’s time to vote in new commissioners who will listen to the voting public and seek out new businesses for our county. Speak up now or pay the tax bills later.